Youth and Family Alternatives to Violence

Violence is a learned behavior and often violence has its roots within the family constellation. The objective of Youth and Family Alternatives (YFA) is to promote safety and minimize risk of further violence and to assist families in learn and practice healthy alternatives to violent exchanges. YFA assists families with children ages 11-17 in learning non-violent methods to solve problems, express frustrations, resolve conflict and interact more effectively.

YFA is typically six months in length and consists of weekly home-based counseling, crisis and safety planning, assessment and goal identification and intervention strategies aimed to improve family and community based functioning. Additionally a 26 week violence prevention curriculum is incorporated into the counseling that is provided. If there are enough participants this material may also be delivered in a group format.

YFA is available across mid-Michigan. Typically families are referred to Highfields through a court system or another government entity.